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Motorcycle safety season in full swing
By Kelly Flanagan/Contributing Writer
Spring has officially arrived, and springtime means busting out bikes, putting the tops down on your cars, taking your tops off jeeps and bringing out motorcycles.
This is the time of year when one can see clusters of guys riding their crotch rockets around on campus. As much fun as it looks everyone should remember the safety aspects of driving and riding motorcycles.
There are many facets that comply with safe motorcycle driving. Minnesotans have not been used to driving with motorcycles on the roads for the wintertime and need to be aware that they will be out there now. Some people might think that motorcyclists do not have the same privileges and regulations as regular drivers. They do, though, so drivers need to treat them with the same respect and courtesy they would other motorists on the roads.
Awareness is the key to have safe driving correspondence between cars and motorcycles. According to the Minnesota Motorcycle safety center, cyclists are almost three times more likely to be injured, and five times more likely to be killed in a crash than someone in a car. Another statistic from the safety center is that the speed that most fatal motorcycle accidents occur is between 31 and 40 miles per hour.
There are some easy precautions drivers of cars can do on the road to be aware of cyclists:
Double check blind spots. Motorcycles are easily hidden in traffic.
Watch out when making left hand turns at an intersection. This is where the majority of crashes happen.
Just keep your eyes open. Being alert and aware of the surroundings is the best way to stay away from accidents.
Something that is very controversial in motorcycle safety is wearing a helmet. According to the Minnesota State Public Safety, motorcycle riders with a permit must wear a DOT-approved helmet, whereas licensed riders must only wear eye protection, which can include a face shield, goggles or glasses.
"Many experienced riders disagree with wearing helmets because it limits your hearing and vision, and when you are riding you want nothing to limit you," Tim McConnell, president and founder of the SCSU Motorcycle Club, said. "Safety is the number one priority."
McConnell also offered advice about simple driving safety when you are on the road.
"Don't wear loose clothing, wear bright colors, and just have common sense while driving."
The Minnesota safety center points out that poor road conditions, bad weather and heavy traffic pose much higher risks for motorcyclists than cars, so they encourage motorists to start seeing motorcycles.
To get more information about safety tips you can visit motorcyclesafety.org. Email Tim McConnell from the SCSU Motorcycle Club at [email protected] if you are interested in joining or want more information about the club.
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